The Great Trolling Motor Boom of 2019
MINN KOTA BELTED a grand slam when it introduced the Ultrex trolling motor in 2016. For the first time, bass anglers could have a cable-like, foot-pedal response and electronic GPS anchoring in the same motor. Toe tap a button on the foot pedal’s base and the Ultrex holds you in place over deep water, leaving you free to concentrate on fishing.
Prior to the Ultrex, all trolling motors capable of electronic anchoring had steering mechanisms that were too sluggish for the quick, precise, shallow-water boat control needed for bass fishing. The Ultrex proved to be a game changer and soon became a must-have item for bass anglers everywhere. The motor was designed to communicate with specified Humminbird graphs. So, if you bought an Ultrex, you were likely to purchase Humminbird electronics.
The success of the Ultrex didn’t escape MotorGuide, Garmin and Lowrance. At ICAST 2019, all three companies introduced a trolling motor that has electronic anchoring and a responsive foot control.
